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This is quite possibly the coolest birdhouse ever.

Inspired by the geodesic dome popularized by architect Buckminster Fuller. Its rounded shape makes an ideal nesting place for wrens, finches, swallows, warblers, and other small birds. An easy access door allows for simple cleaning so you can freshen the house at the start of each season.

Designer: Kelly Lamb
Material: Ceramic
Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 8 inches

$95.00, Buy it here.

While this looks more like Batman’s style than the Joker’s, it has a strong modern presence that looks excellent over a dining table.

The Joker was created by Christian Ræder in 1970 where it won 1st prize at the Scandinavian Lighting fair. This light pendant simply assembled by hand, provides a beautiful light and acts as an exciting sculpture in the room, even when it is off. The Joker is available in either white on white or black on white.

Dimensions: 50cm x 50cm, height 25cm
Colors: White/White, Black/White

$285.00, Buy it here.

Okay, so I read a lot of books (as in several books a week) and I hate bookmarks. But I love these bookmarks. They’re a perfect size, with perfectly round edges with a perfect paper thickness. No ads, no labels, no cute kitten or frilly tassel or anything. Perfect.

…I feel our simple human lives have become quite suffocated and fatigued under the overwhelming pressure from modern-day media. Good design is design that is invisible and should be free of the designer’s ego. Who designed the plastic bag? the ash tray? the bicycle? the salt shaker? Most of us have never considered these things because they just work, albeit anonymously…normal bookmark is a simple, plain bookmark made from quality paper with a natural texture and color. When you slot a normal bookmark into a book, it begins to do its job quietly. It has just the right thickness and bends a little with the flipping of pages. Its natural shade blends humbly into the book. The slightly textured surface keeps it from falling. –the designer Aen Tan

pack of 5, $7.00
pack of 10, $12.00
pack of 20, $18.00
Buy it here.

How’s this for some off-the-beaten-path-with-a-dash-of-Dan Flavin-feel lighting?

shown left to right top to bottom:
lamp shade lamp: 22″ dia. 11″ height, $1750.00
rg, rb, bg: 55″h x 12″w at base and top, $1200.00
open tower: 4″w x 4″d x 28″h (1:7 ratio), $725.00
open cube: 8″w, 8″d, 8″h (1:1 ratio), $600.00
lamp post: 49″h x 19″w, $850.00
Some pieces can be made to order with a different ratio/size or color.
All handmade from start to finish.

Buy it here.

The black and white abstract print of this bedding by DwellStudio is a perfect counterpoint to a strong accent color, either on a room’s walls or as a bold border on sheets.

Designed for comfort, but beautiful enough to hang on the wall: DwellStudio’s Abstractions collection draws inspiration from the world of modern art. Abstract motifs, simple lines, and bold colors predominate on styles that will appeal to the most discerning palates.

Collage Charcoal Standard Sham (pair), $99.00
Collage Charcoal Euro Sham (pair), $110.00
Collage Charcoal Full/Queen Duvet Set, $308.00
Collage Charcoal King Duvet Set, $352.00
Buy it here.
Also shown: Linen Edge Saffron/Pearl Sheets and Cases, $88.00 – $352.00,
Buy it here.

You always run a risk with displaying poetry, but maybe you can get away with it if you’re smart. (Smart, as in, clever and prepared, because you know someone will ask you, ‘Can you tell me more about this person Pablo Neruda?’ and it’d be best to have a short answer like, ‘Oh, he was just one of the greatest and most influential poets of the 20th century, winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971 and known for his love poems, surrealist poems, historical epics, and overtly political manifestos. Duh!’)

Manufactured from self-adhesive film color, cut out with precision, these wall ornaments are equipped with an adhesive especially developed to remain removable for several years and to allow their removal without leaving residues. Thanks to their transparent film of installation, wall ornaments are also easy to position and to install. Installs on just about any wall, glass or mirror.

reads: ‘How is the translation of their languages arranged with the birds? How do I tell the turtle that I am slower than he? How do I ask the flea for his championship stats? Or tell the carnations
that I’m grateful for their fragrance?’
10″ x 31″

$28.00, Buy it here.

That’s right, it’s Valentine’s Day, and for that reason only do you get bombarded with red and heart shaped things that you must purchase in order to appease the gods. Here’s cupcake stencils that are red (ding!) and heart shaped (ding! ding!). There, we did our part.

Decorate cupcakes, cappuccino and other goodies with sprinkles of cocoa, decoratifs, colored or confectioner’s sugar in six different heart motifs.

Set of six stencils. 4″Wx2.75″H

$5.95 $2.95, Buy it here.

Three very decent rugs from CB2. (It’s always so nice to see modern rugs in living-room sizes for under $600.)

left to right:
domino rug (5’x8′ or 8’x10′), $299.00 – $599.00, Buy it here.
harmony rug (5’x8′ or 8’x10′), $299.00 – $599.00, Buy it here.
flock rug (5’x8′), $299.00, Buy it here.

It just might be worth the wait for these computer speakers. Standing at 4 inches high, they’re small enough to do the job without taking up too much desk space.

Speak-er are high-qualtiy multimedia speakers that plug directly into your computer or MP3 player. Their iconic shape put the “speak” in speakers. Set includes a left and right speaker and power adapter.

Construction: Polished white ABS housing with matte black steel grille (additional specs)
Dimensions: H 4″ x W 6″ x L 2″ per speaker

This probably isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but personally, this carpet makes my head explode. The whole Artware Editions site has some great stuff (posted the wallpapers in remodel section yesterday) so if you get a chance you might want to browse through the various artists’ editions.

This carpet design by Sarah Morris is available as wall-to-wall carpeting, or bound as a custom-sized area rug. A 12′ minimum width is required.

printed nylon carpet, designed 2006

$12.00 per square foot, Buy it here.

Why not have a utilitarian item showcase craftsmanship? It’s interesting how a simple change of materials elevates an object from under the sink onto a table for viewing.

Unconventionally simple and eco-friendly, this flashlight belongs on your table, not hidden in a drawer. The end cap, which unscrews for easy battery replacement, houses the convenient on/off switch. With energy efficient LED bulb.

Designer: Jonas Damon
Material: Wood, Aluminum, Rubber
Dimensions: 10 x 2 x 2 inches

Available for pre-order.
$75.00, Buy it here.

Harry Allen adds on to his reality series with this pretty wonderful brush vase. You have to check out the silver version too. Take note it’s available for pre-order, so you’ll have to wait a little while.

Brush Vase was originally intended to hold paint brushes, but we thought filling it with flowers was a beautiful idea too, so we’ve included a glass insert to hold water.

Material: Resin and Marble
Dimensions: 12 x 5 x 6 inches

Available for pre-order. Approximate ship date: 4/25/2009
$75.00, Buy it here.

These stones by Ronel Jordaan seem to be quite a bit larger than the Felt Rocks by Molo, and they would be excellent cushions to add here and there around a living space. (I’ve listed links for two different retailers; whoever had the lower price got the link for that particular item.)

Socially conscious as well as gifted, Jordaan has set up a women’s workshop in Gauteng- Johannesburg-where her personally trained artisans transform interlocking fibers, made from 100% merino wool, into these freeform oversized “stone” floor cushions…Soft yet buoyant, the veined, smooth textured cushions can be arranged to support seat and back. Hand washable in cold water.

Small, 12″w x 14″d x 5″h, $245.00, Buy it here.
Medium, 16″w x 20″d x 12″h, $395.00, Buy it here.
Large, 31″w x 27″d x 16″h, $595.00, Buy it here.

also shown:
Pebble Cushion, $595.00, Buy it here.
Pebble Carpet, $395.00-$2000.00, Buy it here.

This is just about the smartest high chair ever seen. It folds flat for easy transport and fits onto most regular chairs with extendable arms and sturdy straps. You can also add back legs to make it stand alone as a small chair. To see more info, visit their site.

For kids 6 months – 5 years old, the European-designed HandySitt, tranforms any adult chair into a high chair. Extendable arms allow it to be secured to most styles of chair, even those with rounded backs. It works on chairs with a back height of 12-19” and back width greater than 13.5”. The HandySitt folds flat so you can toss it in a closet or trunk, hang it on a wall, or pack it in a suitcase. Folded, it measures 21” x 3” x 12”, and at 5lbs, it’s ultra-compact and an easy haul…

7 different finishes: Natural or black painted birch, with red, brushed steel or black metal arms, or Antique.

$149.00, Buy it here.

Ibride keeps hammering out weirdly amusing trays that have some of us itching to clear some wall space (those of us that ‘collect things’).

As one can see in the collection of trays, which are not only sturdy and beautiful while in use but also become elegant wall décor statements. Through magical imagery and intricate lattice work, these items simultaneously create a modern and yet nostalgic feeling. Each tray is constructed to last using a century old technique. Created of high pressure laminate each of Ibride’s items are thoroughly functional and lifestyle enhancing at the same time.

Berenice Tray, 25″ L x 18 1/2″ W, $196.00, Buy it here.
Marthe and Madeleine Tray, 24″ L x 9 1/2″ W, $150.00,
Buy it here.
Marius and Martial Tray, 24″ L x 9 1/2″ W, Buy it here.